Punjab Education Minister Mr. O.P. Soni today announced that one lakh rupees with a trophy would be given as prize money for the winning school team and Rs.11,000 for each winner of academic, sports and cultural activities from next year. He was speaking on the concluding day of the three days Academic Competitions to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Punjab School Education Board, held in the board auditorium.On the last day of these three days events, the chief guest Mr. O.P. Soni also gave away prizes to the winners. Addressing the gathering, he specifically said that teachers of prize winner students would also be honoured. Exhorting the winners, Mr. Soni inspired them to work hard to bring laurels for their district, state on international level. He said that it is the responsibility of the teachers to provide qualitative education to the students coupled with cultural and sports activities so that students could compete with ease.
Sharing his vision for the State Education, Mr Soni said that quality education is the need of the hour. He said that the department has academically sound work force and efforts are afoot to upgrade the infrastructure as well. He called upon the teachers and the principals to work diligently for the improvement in educational standards. On this occasion, Chairman of the Board Mr. Manohar Kant Kalohiya, Vice Chairman Mr. Baldev Sachdeva, Secretary/DGSE Mr. Prashant Kumar Goel, board members and other officers were present.Earlier in the speech competition Ashu Tewari, B.C.S. Senior Secondary School, District Ludhiana takes first place. Samandeep Kaur, Khalsa, Senior Secondary School, Bir Sahib, District Tarn Taran takes first position in poetry competition. Gurpreet Kaur, Robin Model Senior Secondary School Dhuri, District Sangrur in remained first in calligraphy and Jashanpreet Kaur and others of Bhai Ram Kishan Gurmat Public Senior Secondary School, Patiala stayed in first place in Traditional Songs competition. In the folk songs competition Sukhdeep Kaur of Government Co-Education Secondary School, Golowala, District Faridkot stood first. Amandeep Kaur and others of Government Kanya Senior Secondary School, Railway Mandi, District Hoshiarpur were in first place in hymns recitation competition.